Mitral regurgitation outcomes after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure.

BACKGROUND: Worsening mitral regurgitation (MR) is a complication of intervention for atrial septal defect (ASD). Little is known about mitral valve (MV) characteristics associated with worsening MR. We aimed to elucidate MR outcomes and predictors of worsening MR after transcatheter ASD closure. METHODS: We analyzed changes in MR from prior to transcatheter ASD closure to 6 months after the procedure and predictors of worsening MR via baseline transthoracic echocardiography in 238 patients (64.7% females; mean age, 53 ± 22 years). RESULTS: Worsening MR was defined as worsening to moderate in patients with less than or equal to mild MR at baseline or vena contracta width increasing of ≥2 mm by 6-month follow-up in patients with moderate MR. Worsening MR was observed in 29 patients (12.2%). The associated echocardiographic findings were pseudoprolapse, hamstringing, stiffness, and anteroposterior and intercommissural mitral annulus diameter in the univariable logistic regression analysis (all P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis after adjusting for age; long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation; and ASD size showed that models combining MV leaflet findings such as pseudoprolapse or hamstringing, or anterior leaflet stiffness with the ratio of the sum of anterior and posterior leaflet lengths to intercommissural mitral annulus diameter were statistically significant for predicting worsening MR (R2 = 0.393, P < 0.001 and R2 = 0.385, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Worsening MR after transcatheter ASD closure might depend on MV leaflet findings and annulus size in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Pulmonary artery blood flow dynamics in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is caused by incomplete resolution and organization of thrombi. Blood flow dynamics are involved in thrombus formation; however, only a few studies have reported on pulmonary artery blood flow dynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, the effects of treatment interventions on pulmonary artery blood flow dynamics are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate pulmonary artery blood flow dynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before and after pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty, using computational fluid dynamics. We analyzed patient-specific pulmonary artery models of 10 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and three controls using computational fluid dynamics. In patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, flow velocity and wall shear stress in the pulmonary arteries were significantly decreased, and the oscillatory shear index and blood stagnation volume were significantly increased than in controls. Pulmonary endarterectomy induced redistribution of pulmonary blood flow and improved blood flow dynamics in the pulmonary artery. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improved pulmonary blood flow disturbance, decreased blood flow stagnation, and increased wall shear stress, leading to vasodilatation of the distal portion of the pulmonary artery following balloon pulmonary angioplasty treatment.

Efficacy and safety of guide extension catheter in balloon pulmonary angioplasty for treatment of complex lesions in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is used for treatment of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and residual pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) to improve hemodynamics, right ventricular function, and exercise capacity. However, the effectiveness and safety of guide extension catheters for BPA treatment in patients with CTEPH have not been demonstrated. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 91 lesions in 55 sessions of 28 patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA using a guide extension catheter. The purpose (backup, coaxial, and extension), efficacy, and safety of the guide extension catheters were explored. The efficacy of the guide extension catheter was assessed based on the success of the procedures and safety was evaluated based on procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Regarding the intended use, a guide extension catheter was used to strengthen the backup force of the guiding catheter in 52% of cases, extend the tip of the catheter in 38% of cases, and maintain the coaxiality of the guiding catheter in 10% of cases. Procedural success was achieved in 92.7% of 55 sessions and in 95.6% of 91 lesions. Complex lesions had a lower success rate than simple lesions (p = 0.04). Regarding safety concerns, complications were observed in 5 of 55 sessions (9.1%) and 6 of 91 lesions (6.6%). Only one case of pulmonary artery dissection using a guide extension catheter was reported. Except for this one case, extension catheter-related complications were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A guide extension catheter can be used safely in BPA procedures with anatomically complex pulmonary artery branches and complex lesions by increasing backup support.

Screening for untreated atrial fibrillation in the elderly population: A community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Strokes are common in people with atrial fibrillation (AF), and can have devastating consequences, especially in the elderly and if AF is untreated. However, community-based studies on screening for untreated AF have not been conducted in Japan, and there has been no evaluation of the effectiveness of early screening for AF in the elderly (≥65 years). METHODS: The Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (KPUM) Education Initiative has conducted an AF awareness campaign consisted of screening tests using a blood pressure (BP) monitor with electrocardiogram (ECG) (the Complete, Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan) and educational lectures for the elderly (≥65 years) from 2019 to 2020. A modeled effectiveness analysis was performed comparing the life-years and QALYs (quality-adjusted life-years) between direct-acting oral anticoagulation (DOAC)-treated AF and untreated AF in a Japanese setting. The basic description of the Markov model was used for the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1648 participants were screened, and after excluding those with missing information or data (n = 41), 1607 were finally enrolled. The mean (± standard deviation) age of participants was 72.4±5.8 years, 827 (51.5%) were female, 628 (39.1%) had hypertension, and 1368 (85.1%) had CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2. After cardiologists' evaluation of all ECG recordings of the Complete, 15 (0.93%) AF were newly detected. For each AF treated with DOAC, 0.859 QALYs gained over the lifetime for 65 years-old men, and 0.856 QALYs for 65 years-old women compared to non-treatment. CONCLUSION: A moderate number of untreated AF were identified in the community-based study. Identification of an increased number of patients with AF, if properly treated with DOAC, ultimately leads to a reduction in the number of strokes occurred over subjects' lifetime.

The effectiveness of scoring balloon angioplasty in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an effective treatment for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of the non-slip element percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (NSE PTA) scoring balloons in BPA. METHODS: 108 pulmonary artery branches in 14 CTEPH patients who underwent BPA using NSE PTA scoring balloon (the NSE PTA group) or plain balloon (the POBA group) and pressure gradient evaluation were analyzed. We compared the improvement of the pressure ratios after BPA (Δ Pressure ratio) of both groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the Δ Pressure ratios of the two groups (0.241 ± 0.196 POBA, 0.259 ± 0.177 NSE PTA, p = 0.63). No complications occurred in the NSE PTA group, while 3 episodes of hemoptysis were seen in the POBA group. This, however, was not found to be significant (p = 0.27). In the cases where balloon-to-vessel ratio exceeded 1.0 (n = 35), multivariate analysis showed that the use of NSE PTA scoring balloon and pressure ratio before BPA were significantly correlated with Δ Pressure ratio (ß coefficient: 0.047, 95% CI: 0.0016 to 0.093, p = 0.043 and ß coefficient: -0.60, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.42, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although NSE PTA scoring balloon was safe, there was no significant pressure gradient improvement with NSE PTA scoring balloon compared to conventional BPA. Nevertheless, the NSE PTA scoring balloon showed effective blood-flow improvement in the case of large balloon-to-vessel ratio.

Assessment of biventricular hemodynamics and energy dynamics using lumen-tracking 4D flow MRI without contrast medium.

BACKGROUND: Biventricular physiological interaction remains a challenging problem in cardiology. We developed a four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and clinically available analysis protocol based on beat tracking of the cardiovascular lumen without contrast medium, which enabled measurement of the biventricular hemodynamics and energetic performance by calculating flow energy loss (EL) and kinetic energy (KE). The aim of this study was to observe the flow patterns and energy dynamics to reveal the physiology of the right and left ventricular systems. METHODS: 4D flow MRI studies were performed in 19 healthy volunteers including 11 male and 8 female. The right and left ventricular systems were segmented to visualize the flow patterns and to quantify the hemodynamics and energy dynamics. RESULTS: A large vortex was observed in the left ventricle (LV), along the longitudinal axis, during end diastole and early systole. At early systole, the vortex appeared to facilitate smooth ejection with little EL. In contrast, in the right ventricle (RV), there were vortices near the free wall in both the short and long axes during the diastolic filling phase. Mean EL index during a single cardiac cycle in the right and left heart systems was 0.63 ± 0.16 (0.42-0.99) mW/m2, and 1.02 ± 0.26 (0.58-1.58) mW/m2, respectively. EL is inevitable loss caused by the vortex flow to facilitate smooth right and left ventricular function and left-sided EL tended to correlate positively with heart rate and right ventricular stroke volume. Kinetic energy at the aortic valve was influenced by LV end-diastolic volume/stroke volume. No gender difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The RV appears to function as a regulator of the energy dynamics of the LV system.

Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract stenosis and right ventricular failure after Ross procedure - comprehensive assessment of adult congenital heart disease with four-dimensional imaging: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Re-intervention after Ross procedure into the right ventricular outflow tract might be needed in patients in the long term. However, right ventricular outflow tract re-intervention indications are still unclear. Comprehensive assessment of total hemodynamics is needed. A 42-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for moderately severe pulmonary regurgitation and severe tricuspid regurgitation after a Ross-Konno procedure. Thirteen years after surgery, she developed atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and complained of dyspnea. Electrophysiological studies showed re-entry circuit around the low voltage area of the lateral wall on the right atrium. Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging revealed moderate pulmonary regurgitation, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and a dilated right ventricle. Flow energy loss in right ventricle calculated from four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging was five times higher than in normal controls, suggesting an overload of the right-sided heart system. Her left ventricular ejection fraction was almost preserved. Moreover, the total left interventricular pressure difference, which shows diastolic function, revealed that her sucking force in left ventricle was preserved. After the comprehensive assessments, we performed right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, tricuspid valve annuloplasty, and right-side Maze procedure. A permanent pacemaker with a single atrial lead was implanted 14 days postoperatively. She was discharged 27 days postoperatively. Echocardiography performed 3 months later showed that the size of the dilated right ventricle had significantly reduced. DISCUSSION: A four-dimensional imaging tool can be useful in the decision of re-operation in patients with complex adult congenital heart disease. The optimal timing of surgery should be considered comprehensively.

Evaluation using a four-dimensional imaging tool before and after pulmonary valve replacement in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary regurgitation is a common complication after tetralogy of Fallot repair, resulting in right ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmia, and sudden death. However, the indications and optimal timing for pulmonary valve replacement are not fully known. We describe a case in which a four-dimensional imaging tool was useful in the decision to re-operate, thus resulting in decreased energy loss and improved right ventricular function after the re-operation for tetralogy of Fallot. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Japanese woman visited our hospital due to palpitations and wide QRS tachycardia with persistent tiredness for several months. She underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot when she was 2-years old. An electrocardiogram showed prolonged QRS duration (199 msec) with a complete right bundle branch block and an echocardiograph demonstrated that her right ventricle was highly enlarged and had poor contraction, and severe pulmonary valve regurgitation with one leaflet flail. Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that regurgitant volumes and regurgitant fractions of pulmonary regurgitation were calculated as 63.12 ml and 54.0%, respectively. Right ventricular end-diastolic/end-systolic volume index was 169.54/99.76 mL/m2, and the cardiac index was 1.78 L/minute per m2. Flow energy loss was 2.93 mW, which is estimated to be three times higher than normal controls. An electrophysiological study showed an intact anterior internodal pathway and a slow pathway just through the outside of the right atriotomy line scar, which is supposed to cause a re-entry circuit. We decided to perform a pulmonary valve replacement and a right maze procedure. A 27 mm bioprosthetic valve was implanted in the native pulmonary annulus with a supra-annular position. Concomitantly, the right maze procedure was performed. A four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging done 3 months later showed that right ventricular end-diastolic/end-systolic volume index had significantly reduced to 85.24/55.41 mL/m2 and the cardiac index had increased from 1.78 to 2.58 L/minute per m2. Energy loss had greatly improved from 2.93 to 1.48 mW. CONCLUSIONS: A four-dimensional imaging tool was useful in the decision to re-operate, thus resulting in decreased energy loss and improved right ventricular function after the re-operation for tetralogy of Fallot.

Familial Carney complex with biatrial cardiac myxoma.

We report a case of Carney complex (CNC) with biatrial cardiac myxoma. The patient had left and right atrial myxomas which were resected in a surgery. She showed bilateral adrenal tumors and multiple mammary tumors. She had pigmentation on her lower lip. Previously, her daughter was also diagnosed with CNC with cardiac myxoma. Both of them showed mutations in the PRKAR1A gene. .

Development of Interstitial Lung Disease after Initiation of Apixaban Anticoagulation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants may cause interstitial lung disease (ILD) similar to that seen for other cardiovascular drugs. The aim of this study was to determine trends and medical conditions associated with ILD in patients taking apixaban. METHODS: A single-center observational survey conducted between February 2013 and May 2015 examined patients who developed ILD after initiation of apixaban administration. RESULTS: Chest computed tomography showed that 4 (~.45%) out of approximately 870 apixaban users developed ILD. All patients were elderly Japanese men with decreased creatinine clearance who had nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Three of the four were confirmed smokers, whereas three had a history of lung disease. Dyspnea occurred during the initial week after starting apixaban administration in 3 patients and at 90 days in 1 patient. All patients underwent methylprednisolone pulse therapy, with three requiring mechanical ventilation. Although 2 patients recovered, the other two died of respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: Development of ILD during anticoagulation with apixaban is not rare. When apixaban is administered in elderly high-risk patients, subjects need to be carefully monitored for respiratory symptoms. As drug-induced ILD is often reported in Japan, further studies that clarify if these types of cases are common in countries other than Japan will also need to be undertaken.